Fallen from Grace (6 page)

His hand reluctantly dropped to his side, and he brought it back up to sweep through his unruly black hair.

“Are
you
okay?” she asked.

He laughed, and Grace’s heartbeat thundered in her ears.

“I think I’ll survive.”

“Good,” she murmured.

Something was there—between them—but Grace didn’t know what it was because she had never felt anything like it in her life. It was warm, intense…
it was alive.

“Are you here for the wedding?” Her voice sounded breathy and unstable.

He nodded. “I’m a friend of Alex.”

Interesting
. Grace was going to have to ask her friend a few questions when she returned from her honeymoon.

“Well, you’re a little late. The ceremony is over, but I think the party will be going for a few more hours,” she said, smiling.

His sultry gaze sent a jolt of excitement through her belly. A momentary lapse in her sanity allowed her to think she could stare into his eyes for the rest of her life. Moments ago she was rushing to get home, but now she regretted leaving early. She was tempted to follow him back upstairs, to the party. And what, stare at him from across the room while her mother ogled Ellis and he forced her to dance again? She had to leave. Now.

“It was nice seeing you again, Judas.”

“You’re leaving.” He looked vexed.

“I have an early morning.”

“Oh.” He glanced down, then returned his brown gaze to hers. Grace noticed tiny gold specks bordering his pupils. “Can I see you outside?”

She stared at him as she tried to respond to his question. Her brain had turned to mush under the sensual caress of his chocolate brown gaze.

“No,” she blurted. He looked surprised, and she attempted to soften her tone. “I’m fine, thank you.” Grace caught their reflection in the frosted window; he was at least a foot taller than her.

“Do you have a card?”

She looked at him.

“A business card I mean.” He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned.

“Are you in need of my services, Mr. Woods?”

The crooked grin that curved his lips made Grace’s stomach tighten.
Dear Lord, this man is too gorgeous.
Something inside of her longed to feel his five o’clock stubble against her tender palm before she slid her fingers through his hair. It looked soft…

What is wrong with me?

“Please, call me Judas. And yes, I am. For a client.” He pulled a card from inside the breast pocket of his black jacket, and her thoughts from the
sinful
chasm her logic had fallen into. His fingers overlapped with hers, once against forcing her over the edge of reason. His touch elicited the same electric hum as in the restaurant when they first met and made her feel ridiculously giddy.

Grace smiled as she slid the card into her pocket. She was careful not to touch him as she handed him her own business card.

“Thank you.” He glanced down at her and was about to say something, but his expression hardened as his gaze shifted behind her.

Ellis’s mint aftershave filled her senses as he whispered, “There you are,” into her ear.

She quickly shifted to stand beside him, and stole a look at Judas. He looked pissed, and she didn’t understand why. Ellis held his hand out for her, making her wonder if there were something she’d missed. He wasn’t one for public displays of affection.

Grace tucked her hair behind her ear as she took his hand and introduced the two men. “Ellis, this is Judas Woods.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Woods,” Ellis responded in his deep, authoritative voice. He looked at Grace, curiosity drawing his brows inwardly.

Judas shot him a tight smile and a nod.

Uh-oh.
“Judas is a friend of Alex.”

“I see.” Ellis nodded. “And what are you two doing down here?”

“I was leaving.” Ellis’s brows dipped further.
Double uh-oh.
“Because I wasn’t feeling well, and we accidentally ran into each other as I was exiting the elevator, so he was just making sure I was okay, which I am.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re alright,” Ellis responded dryly. He snaked one arm around her back and the other across her waist, before clasping his hands together on her hipbone. It was a step above hand holding, and an embrace he’d never even attempted in private.
What was going on?

Grace noticed Judas’s jaw grind together momentarily before he spoke. “I suppose I should get upstairs. I’m late, and would hate to miss my chance to congratulate the bride and groom. It was nice to meet you, Ellis.” He looked at Grace. “And a pleasure
running
into you, Dr. Winters. Good evening.” He stepped toward the elevators.

She looked at Ellis and forced a smile. His gaze flared, and without hesitation he shifted her body so she was flush against him and pressed his lips against hers. It wasn’t sensual or loving, but demanding and abrupt as if he were staking his claim on her right in front of Judas.

When he pulled away, he kissed her cheek, then nuzzled the crook of her neck. Grace glanced over his shoulder and locked eyes with Judas. Ellis’s attempt to mark her with his kiss was obliterated with the look smoldering in Judas’s gaze. It was burned into her mind, and she knew it would be impossible to forget.

T
HREE
TORTUROUS
DAYS
PASSED
WITH
a slow agonizing pace. Judas tried to focus on his cases and not think about Grace Winters, but all his thoughts seemed to begin and end with her. Frequently distracting him was the image of Ellis kissing her and the tone in his vain voice.
Why would he be so quick to stake his claim on Grace right in front of him?

She was successful by her own right, and as Judas thought back to the excuse she gave Ellis—her mysterious headache which hadn’t seemed to trouble her while they spoke—he was willing to bet money it was so she could leave early to get away from him. She seemed uncomfortable by his disingenuous pawing, and the thought only further enraged Judas.

Why
was she with him?

He knew little of the Congressman, but he knew Jack hated him. His father may be a vindictive son of a bitch, but when he disliked someone it was usually a well merited resentment. He thrived on taking powerful people with absolute rule and lawlessness mentalities and reducing them to personal pawns. What dirt did he have on Ellis, and what was the topic of discussion during his dinner with Grace three nights ago? The idea that they were possibly secretly involved and working together worried Judas. He didn’t want Grace getting pulled into anything Jack was involved in.

Unable to control himself, he spent the rest of his morning after his two court hearings researching Ellis’s business connections and ties to questionable affiliates. On a popular webpage, he found a picture of Ellis and Grace with the caption:
New York’s Newest Power Couple.
A link took him to a review by the New York Times which labeled her as a
motivated
and
successful
psychologist, and mentioned her recent accomplishment; making ‘The Top 100 Psychologists in America’.

Her picture was in the top left hand corner of the screen, and he stared at it for longer than he should have. God, she was beautiful. His eyes focused on her lips, and anger rocked through him as he thought about Ellis kissing her. No one had ever had this effect on him. He’d been reduced to socially stalking a woman and her boyfriend.

He slammed the laptop shut and stood, roughing his unshaven jaw. Court hadn’t gone well, but the judge had agreed to one final continuance, and warned it would be the last. Judas would have to come up with the groundbreaking evidence he claimed existed, or his client would lose his house.

The door to his office opened, breaking his thoughts as Jack stepped inside. “How did the hearing go this morning?” His hands were in his pockets as he sauntered toward the two empty chairs in front of Judas’s desk. Unbuttoning his gray suit jacket, he took a seat.

Judas shook his head and began packing his briefcase. “It was rescheduled for the second week of October.”

“Is there anything I can help with?”

I’d rather drop dead than ever ask for your help.
Judas ignored the question as he continued packing.

“Dick and I were just about to have lunch. Would you like to join us?”

He continued to ignore him as he grabbed his jacket and laid it over his arm. “We both know why you’re really here.”

Jack finally acquiesced with an arrogant snort. “How much longer before you can get me the information I need on Rebecca?”

“I was serious when I said this is the last time. I won’t do it again. Disinherit me, or write me out of your will and life because I don’t give a damn. With this last one, we’re even.”

“Nothing can
ever
replace the life of the woman I loved.”

Judas glanced away as the familiar weight returned to his chest. “I loved her more than my own life, and not a day goes by I don’t hate myself for what happened, but this isn’t right. I’m not going to spend the rest of my life in prison for you.”

“Who’s going to prison? Don’t get spooked on me now, Judas.” He stopped, then sighed and shook his head. “Have it your way, you say you’re finished, then you’re finished.”

“I’m serious.”

“As am I.” Jack stood, walking around the chair as he re-buttoned his suit.

“So I don’t have to get information on Rebecca?”

Jack sauntered to the door, placing his hand on the handle. His cold glare sent chills down Judas’s spine. “No, I don’t believe I’ll require it, but don’t you ever infer we’re even. We will
never
be even, Judas.” He pulled the door open and firmly closed it behind him.

Judas grabbed his briefcase and left the building and parking garage as fast as humanly possible. Deep down he knew something was wrong, but this was the best news ever. He was free; no longer bound to Jack’s vindictive ways. He unlocked the BMW Jack had returned to Judas’ apartment the day after it had been towed, and drove the back streets to his favorite takeout restaurant until he ended up on
Fifth Avenue
. He retrieved
her
card from his pocket and realized her practice was only a block away.

A need more powerful than self-control steered his car in front, and he was climbing the stairs of the red brick building before he had a chance to talk himself out of it. He scanned a tiled board inside the building for her office number, then rode the elevator to the third floor. Her receptionist’s desk was the first thing he saw as he stepped off the elevator onto the grey tiled flooring. The gray haired woman behind the desk smiled when she saw him approaching.

“Good afternoon. How can I help you, sir?”

He grimaced inwardly.
What was he doing here?
“I was hoping to visit with Grace…I mean, Dr. Winters.”

Her hands went to the keyboard as she glanced at the screen. “Do you have an appointment, Mr...?”

“No, I don’t.”

This was a bad idea. Finally, his good sense caught up with his foolish heart before he made a mistake. She was way out of his league, and though he objected to her choice of boyfriend, he couldn’t interfere.

“Never mind. I’m sure she’s busy. I’ll come back another t-”

“Judas?” Grace called out, stepping from her office down the hall.

He let his eyes fall closed before he opened them and turned around. Hearing her voice was the next best thing to breathing, and since he’d come to hate his existence, it made him thankful to be alive.

“I was in the area. I’m sorry, you must be busy.”

She shook her head. “Not at all.” She turned to the receptionist. “Hold my calls, Leslie.”

“Of course.” Leslie winked.

Judas caught the exchange and noticed Grace’s anxious reaction. Her gaze narrowed, and she bit the inside of her lip. She released both indications of angst as her gaze collided with his.

“How have you been, Judas?” she asked casually.

“I’ve been well.”
Lie number one.

He ran his fingers through his hair as he stepped inside her office. “I was hoping you might be available to evaluate a client of mine.”
Lie number two.

He felt the walls closing in on him.

“You could have called.” Her heavenly hazel eyes condemned him; she knew he wasn’t being honest.

Judas looked at the door as she quietly closed it behind him. “I was in the area. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you.” Taking a step backward, he glanced at his exit.

Grace quickly stepped toward him. “Of course not.” She suddenly sounded worried. “Have a seat. Here, I can take your jacket.”

Her eyes performed their same torturous routine, piercing his heart while simultaneously making him crave more. He shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to her. Grace hung it on a wrought iron coat rack as Judas’s gaze shifted to the white dress she was wearing. He was jealous of the fabric that clung intimately to her curves. His eyes traveled lower to her shapely legs and he felt his groin tighten as he imagined them wrapped around his waist. He forced his attention to the sitting area, chastising his lustful thoughts.